Railway signal-torpedo



F. DUTCHER. RAILWAY SIGN AL TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED IML. 1, 1-92].

Patented July 19, 192-1.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK BUTCHER, OF VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL RAIL- WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-TORPEDO.

Application filed January 7, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK Dn'rcrrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal-Torpedoes, of which the follow-- ing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes, which carry a railattaching member for attaching it to the head of a rail.

One object of my invention is to apply the rail-engaging member in a novel, cheap, and simple way to a torpedo having a case of paper or fiber, which is wrapped around the explosive charge.

Another object of my invention is to wrap the torpedo charge in such a manner that a space is rovided for the reception of the rail-attac ling member.

A further object of my invention is to apply the rail-attaching member to the torpedo in a firm and secure manner and at the same time provide a complete structure which is cheap and easy of manufacture.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a torpedo made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a toredo showing the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a torpedo made in accordance wlth my improved invention, the ends of the torpedo explosive wrapper or case being shown in the extended position they assume before being folded.

ig. 4 is an exaggerated vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an exaggerated vertical sectional View through a torpedo, showing a modified form of attaching the rail-attaching member to the torpedo.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents a torpedo chai 'lge and 2 the case or wrapping therefor. he case 2 is composed of paper, fiber, or the like, and the transverse cross-section thereof is greater in area than that of the torpedo charge 1, and has extending portions 3 and 3 (Fig. 3) consisting of several folds around the explosive charge, as shown at 4.

The rail-attaching means or member 5, is

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 1921.

Serial No. 435,644.

composed of suitable material, lead or spring; as here shown it is composed of lead or other pliable material.

The rail-attaching member 5 is placed across the torpedo, which is of a rectangular shape, preferably lengthwise the torpedo case and when the portions 3 and 3 are in extended position as shown in Fig. 3.

To hold the strap in this position a primary strap holding member 6 is adhesively or similarly applied to the case 2 and strap 5 as shown. The portions 3 and 3 are then folded inwardly upon the torpedo case and upon the sides 6 and 6 of the primary strap holding member and held in that position, the strap lying between the inwardly bent ends of the case. The member 6 and the portions 3 and 3 are further held in this position by a case sealing member 7 ad hesively or otherwise suitably applied across the inwardly folded portions of the case and the torpedo strap holding member.

To those skilled in the alt, it is well known that the rail-attaching strap or means must be secured sufficiently firmly to the torpedo to assure that when the wheel of the railway locomotive or car strikes the torpedo case, the rail-engaging member will hold the torpedo to the track and allow the wheel to roll upon the torpedo and explode it.

Attention is called to the fact that the rail-attaching strap in my device is given this secure fastening to the torpedo. In fact it .is held in place doubly in addition to the primary fastening member 6, through the medium of the inwardly folded portions of the torpedo case, which clamps upon the ends of the primary strap holding member, and the case Sealing member 7.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modified form of my invention. The structure here is the same as heretofore described with the exception of the torpedo case sealing member.

In the modified form the case sealing member is indicated at 7 and completely encircles the case, the ends 8 of the member abutting upon the top of the ease, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

.To complete my improvement, the torpedo may be dipped in a suitable waterproof mixture so as to assure that dampness will not prevent the torpedo charge from exploding when put to use.

I desire it to be understood that variations in the construction here shown may be made and still be within the generic improvement; viz., the securing of the rail-engaging member to the case by a single securing member which embraces the rail engaging member, irrespective of whether the rail-engaging member is or is not located between the folded-in ends of the case, so long as the construction is within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my lI1VGI1tiO11,Wl1&i3 I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A torpedo comprising a case composed of a sheet wrapped in a plurality of folds around an explosive charge to form extended wrapped portions folded inward upon the explosive charge, and a rail-engaging member secured upon the case between the ad j acent ends of the inwardly folded wrapped portions.

2. The combination with a wrapped torpedo ease having extending portions bent inwardly upon itself and around an explosire, of a rail-engaging member held in place by a primary holding member with extending sides, the sides of the primary holding member extending beneath the folded portions of the case, and the folded portions secured upon the case and the primary holdmember for the purpose described.

A torpedo comprising a case composed of a sheet wrapped around an explosive charge to form extended wrapped portions folded inward, a. rail-engaging member, a primary holding member beneath the folded portions and embracing the rail-engaging member, and a case sealing member embracing the folded portions and the rail-engaging memher, the holding and sealing members and the folded portions cemented, or the ourpose described.

4. A torpedo comprising a case composed of a sheet wrapped around an explosive charge to form extended w 'apped portions folded inward, a rail engaging member, the combined width of the folded portions being less than the width of the explosive and pro riding a space to receive the rail-engaging member, a primary holdingmember with extending sides cemented to the case and embracing the rail-engaging member, the folded portions cemented upon the case and the extended sides of the primary holder, and a case sealing member cemented to embrace the foldcd portions and the rail-engaging member, for the purpose described.

5 The combination with a wiapped torpedo case having extending portions bent inwardly upon itself and around an explosive, of a rail-engaging member held in place by a primary holdinp member with extending sides, the sides of the primary holding member beneath the folded portions of the case, and a case sealing member ombracing the folded case portions and the rail-engaging member.

6. it torpedo comprising a case composed of a sheet wrapped around an explosive charge to form extended wrapped portions folded inward, the combined width of the folded portions being less than t ie width of the explosive and providing a space to receive the rail-engaging member, a rail-engaging member between the ends of the folded portions, a primary holding member beneath the folded portions and embracing the rail-engaging member, and a case sealing member embracing, the folded portions and the rail engaging; member, for the purpose described.

in testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

FRANK DUTCl-IER. 

